Sounds like your making some good progress!

I still got to get the top window insulation in to adjust everything. But i got the windows in and working. With the exception of the rear drivers side window. It needs taken out and cleaned and greased. For whatever reason I never took it out when I did the rest of them.

Windows done and in. I spent the day today cleaning the stainless above the windows. And the original screws to put it on. I need to go buy some 3M foam the goes in between that and the body.

Van got it's first oil change. Got the break in stuff out of it. Still got dyno death oil in it for the next 3000 miles. Then once the rings finish seating synthetic for the duration of its life.

Boat engines with thier flat torque bands are sweet in a driver. I am not disappointed in this engine. My engine builder recommends wide open throttle runs during this time to finish seating the rings. I love when I am forced to have fun.

Not to mention I am back to working on the chevelle. I need to start making my list again. It almost time to order a slew of new parts again. And I don't even have 3/4 of the new parts I got installed. Just taking my time and doing it the best i can. No rush it will get done.

Got my adhesive. Got the weather strippin above the door in. I like this, each step is like unwrapping a X-Mas present.

It's like every part you put on now, the light at the end of the tunnel keep just a little bit brighter!

True. Granted family obligations slowed me down forever. Normal life just made it take a back burner.

For a while there I was looking thinking what have I got myself into. I wont live long enough to finish this at this rate. Not like when I was young and that was all I did. I had to go and settle down and get all respectable Damn it. LOL.

Now I see it and it all is worthwhile. I keep fighting the urge to just buy a engine and drive it as is. I promised myself this will be the first car I did that will have the finishing touches done before I ever drive it. I stroll past it now and it looking like something and your right. I can see the light getting brighter now. May have to get some sunglasses.

I can't believe my old azz is this excited about anything anymore. I guess deep down inside we never grow up.

I did get the seats to recline a inch at the top. Modified the seat catches. Something I like from more modern cars. I never adjust them so just make them so that is where they are. The lock on the side of the seat will still work. It isn't that noticeable them leaning back that little bit. I keep sitting in her thinking now that's better. Arm is perfect reach to the radio. Steering wheel right where I like it. Legs on the pedals just so. Got the tilt on the bottom of the seat just where i like it now. Dialing her in to suit me.

When I went back and starting reading the beginning of this thread it brought back memories of how I felt when I first started mine. Then as you read more and more you feel the frustration, determination and excitement as you get closer and closer as you finish each step.

Building your car the way you want with touches that you want makes every minute of frustration worth it.

Well I will say one thing. The second side sure goes quicker.
I washing the van and working out now. Start something else tomorrow. Relax a little.

And enjoy the progress that you have made.

Been cleaning under hood parts on the wire wheel. Got the engine mounting plates ready.
Brush painted POR in the under side spots and in the bolt holes where spraying just isnt efficient. Besides it in a place you can't see it once it bolted to the frame under the engine.
I think I will clean gad tank straps and the sender today. It about time to put a battery in and test all the electronics like gas gauge turn signals before that stuff is buried and hard to get to if there is a unforeseen issue. Just tinker toying along here.

Got the license plate holder on. New little plastic square dealies and screws looks awsome.

Got the water bottle holder installed and the old water bottle with a hole in the bottom in it for looks.

I bent a wrench in the vice with a sledge to get the bottom motor plate bolts tight. Mashed a finger when a wrench slipped. Got a crush/cut deal. Really enjoyed that.

But they in. I painted the bolts washers with POR for the rust protection. Who I kidding it for the look also. I went through all this it only takes a second.

Next trip down here i be scouting the next thing to do. Gas tank straps and tank ,sway bar would be my best guess.

It is really nice having windows in. Dust cant get on the dash now. Added Bonus.

I made the new seat latch catches for the new recline position. That was a all day job. 2 days to be exact. Work perfectly. I will just shave the rubber stops when I redo the seats.I just got to get to a welder to tack a couple welds. Right now the post are screwed in. I made the post from hardened bolts. Then cut them down to size. Pinged the thread side so they wont come out. But the slightly turn. A tack will solve that. I really need to break down and buy a new welder mine went the way of father time.

Now that the weather stripping been on and the doors closed a while. They close perfectly. The new weather stripping was adding resistance to closing at first. Now we back to a gentle push and click.

Well I been working on the tank a while now. I about half done woth it. Wife said she don't want it on the car. I got a week left on it. She came down and said don't they make new ones. It holds gas and the safety speech. Tank seems fine but i am just tired of working on it. It worth the money just to get out of the work I got left.

So I going to get a new one. My sending unit only had the fuel line coming out. So while I was tank shopping I saw the one with a return. I like that and I will get one. I am sure I will have a electric fuel pump and a mechanical. So I will need a return for the electric.

I also was thinking of the chevelle running out of gas at a 1/4 tank phenomenon. Looking at the sender it seems easy to resolve. Add a aftermarket fuel pick up on a hose. So the pickup is where the gas is when under hard acceleration.

I started my new parts list. I got the exterior of the car finished. And i will burn the rest of my budgeted money up on interior parts. See how far I get. Regaurdless It will keep me busy till I need more parts.

Well for better or worse I ordered a radio for it. A Soundstream VR345b. Same radio as in the van except smaller removable face. I think the face will fit.

I will make custom remote wiring and unit in the glovebox and face only in the dash. This will be a major undertaking. may ruin the radio but I gonna give it the old college try. All I know is I sure dont want a factory or factory aftermarket look alike job.

I would like actual sound. I think this is the hardest custom hurdle in the project. Not cutting the dash and making it look like it was a factory install.
But that is what this is all about making a dream car that never existed. My car in high school I couldn't afford to have or build. Day 2 as I have heard it called. Day 2 just is 40 years later.

Nothing will fit this car. Same thing I ran into on the van.

https://s5.postimg.org/t0r4zd2af/radio_zpse0azhahj.jpg

Looks like a cool unit.
The dash on my car was cut when i got it so for me its easy instal.
I know you will make it look good....post some pics of the progress.

Thank You.

It came I took the face plate and set it in place. It is tight but you can see the chrome underneath it. I will have to take the heater control screws out to get it in it is so tight.
Remote wiring harness is the hardest part. Second issue is the buttons to tell it the faceplate is closed so I can put the DVD's and CD's in. It is bigger than I thought. 300W I thought it was smaller for some reason. I over it tho.

Anyway it be a job if I can get it to work. Wish me luck. I think I can pull it off tho.
I got a engine to put in and regular make money type work killin me right now. But this is next on the list.

Post Pics? Have I ever been lacking on that since I got here? They be there.

Now I got the piece in question I am Mad Scientisting how I gonna "Get Er Done".
First gamble paid off. Faceplate will fit without modification to faceplate or dash.

That was a guess I was in Wal Mart with a tape measuring everything they had and then just crossed my fingers. It impossible to get measurements for custom work for this stuff.

I got so many things to do I just flip a coin and play with what takes my fancy. I been messing with brakes.

Today on a whim I got out the radio. Got the heater control screws in flush so the face plate would fit. I gonna cut 2 pieces from a kick panel which have the same grain as the dash tomorrow to use as fillers to cover the 2 edges so the radio knob holes don't show.

It is working for me. No cutting on the dash is needed and it stays in place. I will make 2 places in the back of the face plate for a bolt and washer to hold it in place. But I got something accomplished anyway.

https://s5.postimg.org/hcx34td5j/radio_zpsrif01k2f.jpg

Well alrighty then. I obviously overheated the computer soldering the extention and scrapped the stereo Clyde. Soundstream has no technical support worth a nickle. No parts dept that actually carries parts. A excelent unit if used as is but not one to mod on. To many connections and to small to work with basically.

So after scouring the internet and researching people who have done it. Then researching stereos and companies we have a new candidate. Kenwood tech support is outstanding and they sell parts to the stereos they sell. HUMMMM novel concept.

I talked to them they said it will work as I am describing doing it. I found the parts I need. Ordered the parts and stereo. Parts may take a month but I ordering stuff nobody ever orders and it is a back order. May come sooner but I am just so happy I can get them at all.

So instead of soldering to the circuit board like last time. I am getting the male and female plug where the face connects. Called a face connector, which was rough finding out the name to even find the parts.

Use cat5 computer cable wire and make a wire connector with plugs on each end. Eliminating heat to the existing working circuit board. Tech said that will work fine.
I had nuts and studs on the other faceplate so it will bolt in and the filler panels are made. It looks factory install as seen in the last picture.

No TV DVD CD this time fewer connections and more actual connector width to work with and larger spacing. It has blue tooth sirious radio or however it is spelled. Cd changer control capability. I pod, android controls plays off of a flashdrive. As everything else I keep buying lately it is a marine application.

I still on it and won't give up till i get er done LOL.

https://s5.postimg.org/ramcmh5uf/radio.jpg

Stereo came. Hooked it to a battery on the bench. Sounds great. Now I got a long wait for the connectors to see if this works. Made templates and checking clearances. Next I will start cutting plastic for the extension ends to hold the wire to the unit.

I found some nice 2 1/2 inch tweeters with covers that match the back speakers for the fronts. Plan is make a z bracket and they will mount in front of the kick panels by the door without cutting the new parts I haven't even bought yet.

I tinkering along at the moment. I think I will fool with the brakes while I wait on the silly connectors.

UPS guy finally ask what the heck I ordering so much junk for the last 7 years. It been the same guy delivering everything. He came in and looked. He was like a proud daddy. Now show me everything I delivered. That was a good time. Remember the first big boxes that was the fenders and core support. And so on down the line. He remembered the drama and investigation into the missing steering wheel emblem.

Now that it is painted. It sure needs cleaned alot. Boy they sure get dirty just sitting there.

They do need to be cleaned just sitting. Mine gets spider webs under the car from all my friends in the garage. .

We have success. Radio plays with the face off and everything works remote and all. So I done with it for the day. All that tiny tiny soldering wore me out. It is a plug in on each end extension.

https://s5.postimg.org/91orjnfmf/P_2...pstecnhohr.jpg

I put in 16 hrs today on that silly stereo. Here is a view of the ugly side. Looks perfect on the installed side. The big square hanging by the wires plugs in the head unit just like the face plate used to. I got the new filler panels made and all custom work is finished. Next mount the head unit under there. I going to order the speakers tomorrow. Speaker wire I will get at wal mart.

It still works I tried it right after it dried. I was holding it to dry in the pic and thought snap a shot while I am bored here.

I can't wait to do something simple next like brakes. Take a break on the doing something that hasn't been done for a while.

But to me it looks so sweet in there like it was meant to be,

https://s5.postimg.org/x6ph1czx3/P_2...pskwtboctn.jpg

Got it in. First pic is the bracket i made to mount the head unit. Then rest is fairly self explanatory. I am so glad that nightmare is over. Speakers should be here tomorrow.
https://s5.postimg.org/8epuu4iqf/P_2...ps4uvtegfq.jpg
https://s5.postimg.org/f6g9wz7pz/P_2...ps0t4gumop.jpg
https://s5.postimg.org/jtmbyqv2v/P_2...pswfuoudnw.jpg
https://s5.postimg.org/3ws5frs2f/P_2...pstpdqzebl.jpg

So let me get this straight, you took a head unit and wired it to the main unit and made a nice mounting system for the head unit and main unit? I like the way it looks.

Thank you.

Yes I bought the plugs for the head unit and faceplate. Soldered wires between them. Made the plastic plate that snaps on the head unit. Attached one plug to it. For ease of installation and future repairs work needed. At least it is serviceable.

Face plate side I attached nuts to the face plate with JB Weld. Attached the plug permanent but on a stand which could be cut and replaced if service was needed also. Plug itself is unaffected.

In the dash I made 2 mounting brackets from alloy angle stock. They bolt together around the main dash brace. So it was not altered. You can see the filler plates I made for the knob holes in the pic with the wires hanging through the dash. I used the outer head unit plastic look nice square. Cut it to fit and attached to the faceplate. To give the finished look like it belonged and was made for it illusion.

Kenwood was the only place that sold parts for doing the extention wire. Face connectors is what they are called. PacParts sells them. Kudos to Kenwoods tech dept for knowing about their stereos and willingness to help.

I have had many many chevelles. And it was a life long thing to have a good stereo that look right and fit. Because nothing does as any chevelle owner is painfully aware of. I been messing with this for 6 months and this is the second stereo I tried it with.

It is very time consuming and alot of hand made stuff. But well worth the effort for future people thinking of doing it.

I still messing with it. I got the rear speaker wires in put them in the factory plastic square wire loom that runs from the trunk to the clutch pedal basically.

Rest of the day I was debating on where to put the front speakers so they didn't look terrible yet were where they sounded good. The brace underneath the dash seems to be where everything is attaching to. Again I made a metal bracket and attached it underneath so I am not modifying the dash in any way.

Got the constant power that I installed when I did the wiring last winter for just such emergencies. Got the keyed power and ground done. I dug in my wiring harness tub and found a plug that matched the factory radio plug so i didn't have to cut it either.

I got the bass and mid in the rear, tweeters type in the front. Doing the best I can with what the car gave me to work with. Make it work with out changing the interior or looking bad.

https://s5.postimg.org/rp1grau3b/P_2...ps9c0wprgc.jpg

On a 68,There is an open space under the kick panel that will hold a 5.25 round speaker. Its where the lower door hinge mounts. I made a custom bracket. It works well and doesnt require any mods to the dash,kick panels, or door.

Thank you. I will pull the old kick panel out and look into that.

Since this wasnt a factory install and the speakers were on top of the package tray mount. I went and bought a peice of hard board and cut it. I got you guessed it Marine Vynal with the same basic pattern as the factory package tray pattern in it.

Well I got it all installed. Broke down and bought a battery and a trickle charger. It is obvious I going to play with everything all the time. Chevelle is the new garage stereo LOL. I set the dash clock adjusted everything. Bluetooth works I called wifey from the chevelle.

I am floored with the sound as is. More volume and bass than I care to ever use. This adventure is officially over.

Now I got to do my real work a while and stop slacking so I can buy more crap for the chev LOL.

https://s5.postimg.org/gqq7945hz/P_2...pseagxluye.jpg

Well the summer has come and gone. It is getting to cold for the boat. Here is me and the boy a couple weeks ago on the ohio. I think it is time to winterize it now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVroEGRKDKg

Well yesterday I built shelves so I could get all the boat and camping stuff out of the chevelle. It has been a storage closet for a while now. So I can get back to work on it.

I took the hood hinges off today and ordered new ones.

I got a catalog on the way and i been on the horn with the sales guy. I be making a interior order in a week or so. It will be a monster one. I will have the interior in by boat weather.

So the chevelle is getting moved from the back burner to the front.

I am making arraignments to meet with a guy for machine work. The 454 will be a 496 and i decided on the brodix square port race ready heads. LOL hell this old POS may move under its own power here shortly. A year is my hope and guess.

Well today I paid for the stage 4 interior kit. So Soon this thread be alive again.

I got the block in today. Now the bell housing and trans so I can cut the hole and fool with the Z bar.

I got the bell housing and trans in. Crossmember is back in.

Now got to wait for a day mommy isnt working so I can use the whiz wheel and cut the floor out put the hump with the 4 speed hole in it.

I got my tracking numbers it apparently is on santas sled it is coming christmas eve by the end of the day it says.

Who did you end up buying from?

OPGI. I was on the phone for weeks with the guy. It is a stage IV kit I took off the parts from the dash and package tray I already did.

Then I added a bunch of stuff. Sound deadener and insulation for the roof under the headliner. New chrome buttons for the seats. Assembled door panels and read sides just cause they better. (better than the crap I took out anyway) Assembled console. You know the drill.

It is a A/C car. I added kick panel vents like a non A/C car because I like the cozy wings open and kick panel vents on summer nights. It is real nice cool air. My first car was one of these things,. I want all the good stuff.

I got the hole in the floor and shifter in. That shifter was out of a 72 truck. It is a bolt on handle. I had 3 of them. The charger one was seat level way back halfway on the seat. The shorty one I got I am not with that. I can shift just fine with the 66 factory hurst I had I wanted that back.

So I took the truck one re drilled the mounting holes and cut and ground off the unwanted part. Then bent it for console use. Perfect now for me arms reach in all gear sitting with my back on the seat. It is a 220 muncie. I am getting the O/D from gear venders to. 373 a little to steep for freeway to me. I am old it is a toy. Cant take it with you when you die right spend it.

https://i.postimg.cc/VvTZhHQL/20191220-150451.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/y6rGWWg4/20191220-152625.jpg

I got the console hump already. Not sure what is going on there yet. When the console arrives I will get the shifter and floor and console all on the same page.

https://i.postimg.cc/76ZBZyqZ/20191220-153819.jpg

I gonna fool with getting the Z Bar and linkages for the clutch while this is going on.

Anyway boat is done and tucked away. Wife said get this done now while it is cold because i be playing with the boat once it warms up and wont have all this time.

https://i.postimg.cc/d3qJ13LT/20191220-153708.jpg

Got parts coming everyday now. I ordered the correct shifter for this mess.

https://i.postimg.cc/DwG7fysv/20191223-124710.jpg

It's looking good. Hoping to share pictures of a painted car in about a week.

That would be outstanding see it painted. Congrats and good luck.

I got my last 4 boxes today. There are back ordered items. And of course I called and am looking for the odd parts.

Since this was a auto car and the engine had no provision for the z bar pivot. I spent the last couple days making that stuff. Bell housing had the pivot. I drilled the z bar and pedal for brass bushings. Solved the wear issues.

Once I got the console it was clear the shifter i got was in no way shape or form going to work with it. So I got the chevelle hust comp plus shifter for consoles on the way now.

So now the clutch linkage is done I will work on Itemizing and going through these parts. Head liner is what the first thing to mess with is . Get the bucket seats out and work on them while i am in between waiting on other things, forgotten parts,

Anyway we underway now.

https://i.postimg.cc/V6ZR1s4Y/z-bar-640x640.jpg

New shifter in works fine. Now finish trimming the hole for the bubble hump.

I ordered clips and been going through things see what I need that i missed.

I need a roof brace they call it i lost one over the years. I been hunting one all day. Found a old guy has one he said he will look and i can have it if it is there. He thinks there 68 malibu up on the mountain.

Painted the plugs for the floor today.

I got the headliner on the roof laying relaxing out all the wrinkles same as I did the vynal top. They so much easier toy work with if they are already unwrinkled.

Anyway it is on like donkey kong here. Next sand and piant the braces on the ceiling.

I got a bunch of work on my brothers car to do tomorrow. slight hold up.

I been digging through my toms of crap looking for what I need. I ordered screws today. I was guesstimateing how much to open up this hole in the floor. Since once this is done all work got to be done from the bottom.

I am going to build up padding in front of the console to solve the gooofy gap they have up there.

I was fooling with the bows in the ceiling. I had to modify one but I got a set.

Wow it is a shame someone who needs parts dont come get some of this before it goes in the garbage. Once this car is done it is all leaving i want my garage space back.

I got a person who knows the old man with the mountain of cars. He says he knows exactly where the chevelle is. I can get the clips and ceiling brace I am missing i hope. The old man said he is fine with it when I stopped last week. You got to know people to find a old car like this just sitting forever.

Shifter handle wasnt the original so a little modification to the shift gate it works fine.

Anyway I am tinkering along between jobs.

https://i.postimg.cc/1RkdXxNm/20191231-114306.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/SKxT3kHr/20191231-115709.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/VvQFf8Z2/20191231-120318.jpg